Principal Software Engineer - Backend Technologies, Platform (UK Remote)

About Turnitin

Join a globally recognized education innovator with over 25 years of experience delivering learning integrity solutions. Turnitin partners with more than 16,000 institutions and corporations worldwide, offering products like Feedback Studio, Clarity, Originality, and Gradescope to protect authentic education in 185+ countries.

You will thrive in a remote-first environment that values purposeful work, accountability, and well-being, collaborating with a diverse and passionate team united in evolving education globally.

Role Overview

We are looking for a Principal Backend Engineer focused on Java and serverless architectures, who also has frontend experience. You will contribute hands-on by designing and implementing scalable, distributed backend systems, data modeling, and optimizing performance for our award-winning educational platform. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams and lead junior engineers to deliver innovative solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, lead development, and optimize scalable backend services using Java and AWS Lambda or similar serverless technologies.
• Architect and implement RESTful APIs and event-driven systems that power distributed applications with high-performance requirements.
• Provide technical leadership, ensuring adherence to architectural standards and best practices.
• Support frontend development efforts when required, contributing to components built with React or Web Components.
• Analyze and enhance existing backend services for better scalability, performance, and cost efficiency.
• Collaborate with Architects, Product Managers, and engineering leads across multiple teams and locations to deliver impactful solutions.
• Mentor junior developers to foster continuous learning and maintain high technical standards.
• Manage and improve CI/CD pipelines to assure reliable and automated software delivery.
• Conduct thorough peer reviews and testing to uphold code quality and maintain comprehensive documentation of shared components.

Essential Qualifications and Skills

• More than 10 years of backend software development experience, with deep knowledge of Java and serverless frameworks like AWS Lambda or Google Cloud Functions.
• Practical understanding of frontend technologies such as React and Web Components, enabling occasional contributions.
• Expertise in distributed systems design, advanced data modeling, and scalability strategies.
• Proven leadership skills in managing cross-location teams and stakeholders, including those in Europe and the USA.
• Hands-on experience with cloud technologies on AWS including Lambda, DynamoDB, API Gateway, SNS/SQS, and EventBridge.
• Strong command of software engineering best practices, including design patterns, TDD, BDD, and clean code principles.
• Experience implementing and maintaining automated CI/CD pipelines alongside modern DevOps practices and infrastructure as code.
• Capability to perform comprehensive system design reviews ensuring alignment with architecture, scalability, and performance goals.
• Demonstrated track record as a technical lead mentoring junior engineers and fostering a culture of excellence.
• Excellent communication skills, able to convey complex technical ideas effectively to diverse audiences.
• Proven problem-solving expertise to troubleshoot and optimize software for performance, scalability, and cost efficiency.
• Ability to balance strategic technical decisions with project deadlines and business priorities.

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with frontend frameworks such as Angular in addition to React.
• Experience with observability/monitoring tools like CloudWatch, New Relic, or Datadog.
• Knowledge of NoSQL database data modeling.
• Understanding agile development methodologies including Scrum, Kanban, and XP.
• Interest or exposure to AI/ML technologies.

Total Rewards and Benefits

Turnitin offers comprehensive pay and benefits beyond salary, supporting your professional growth and well-being within a collaborative and inclusive culture. Benefits include generous paid time off, health care options, education reimbursement, self-care days, remote-first flexibility, parental leave, retirement contributions, volunteer time, wellness reimbursements, mental health support, and charitable matching programs. Benefits vary by country.

Core Company Values

• Customer Centricity: Prioritizing educators and learners to improve outcomes.
• Passion for Learning: Commitment to continual growth internally and globally.
• Integrity: Central to our products, relationships, and operations.
• Action & Ownership: Proactive, accountable approach to challenges.
• One Team: Encouraging collaboration and celebrating successes.
• Global Mindset: Embracing diverse views and making worldwide impact.

Additional Considerations

We value potential as much as experience. Candidates who meet most qualifications but are eager to learn and grow are encouraged to apply.